ADVANCING JOINT HOMEOSTASIS WITH APTAMERS

Joint homeostasis is a finely balanced state maintained by the interplay of anabolic and catabolic processes in the joint environment. Disruptions to this equilibrium, as seen in conditions such as osteoarthritis, lead to progressive joint degeneration and pose a substantial burden on global healthcare systems. This challenge calls for innovative therapeutic strategies that not only target symptoms but also address the underlying mechanisms to restore joint balance. Aptamers are synthetic single-stranded nucleic acid molecules with high specificity and affinity for their targets, offering a promising avenue for advancing joint homeostasis. Aptamers have demonstrated potential as modulators of several molecular pathways that are critical to joint health. Their unique properties, including low immunogenicity, high stability, and adaptability for conjugation with therapeutic agents, make them a promising candidate for precision-targeted interventions. Our work explores the application of aptamers to promote joint homeostasis by modulating key biomarkers and pathways implicated in cartilage degradation and inflammation. Moreover, we are utilizing aptamers to specifically target diseased chondrocytes and/or catabolic cytokines in the join, and try to supply the aptamer-based drug through delivery systems that provide sustained and localized therapeutic effects. This approach reduces systemic toxicity and improves treatment efficacy. Therefore, our research underscores the transformative potential of aptamer-based therapies in improving outcomes for patients with joint-related diseases.